ADVANCE: Alleviating Domestic Violence in Moldova

ADVANCE continues to work with women, as well as men, in Moldova to break the cycle of domestic violence and help survivors rebuild their lives. Men and boys play an important role, not only in preventing domestic violence, but also promoting gender equality. This role was a central focus of two recent events. During the first conference in November, stakeholders, including NGO representatives, service providers, local government authorities, and community volunteers, learned basic information about ways to engage men and boys to prevent domestic violence and how to confront stereotypes about men’s and women’s roles in society. A trainer from Ukraine, who has worked extensively on issues of positive masculinity and violence prevention, engaged male leaders and young volunteers on specific ways they can address violence and support women’s empowerment in their communities. During this training and a follow-up workshop in December, these men identified the ways this is already happening in Moldova, and created plans to expand, coordinate, and strengthen these efforts throughout the country. This series of workshops was an important step in launching future efforts to engage men and boys in Moldova, where rates of family violence remain high.

To date, ADVANCE has assisted more than 230 survivors of domestic violence and women at risk, and reached more than 650 people in rural villages through Mobile Technical Units. The project has also reached about 1,150 young people through peer-to-peer sessions addressing gender roles and stereotypes, as well as providing tools for violence mitigation and prevention. Among these young people, 120 have gone on to conduct their own prevention activities in their communities.

On behalf of Winrock and our partners in the ADVANCE project, thank you for your support. To date, we have raised nearly $1,300, thanks to the generosity of people like you. If you have any questions or comments about the project, we’d love to hear from you on our wall!

In September, ADVANCE organized a national forum for volunteers, “Promoting and Sustaining Volunteer Activities in Domestic Violence Alleviation.” Forty youth volunteers, who work regularly with the project’s local NGO partners, took part in the forum, which was attended by government agencies, international and national organizations, and media. The volunteers presented their unique perspectives, experiences and recommendations for further engagement of young people in the movement against family violence in Moldova. The event was the first opportunity for volunteers from the project’s two target regions to meet in person and have an exchange, and it was also the first time stakeholders on the national level had a chance to hear the perspectives of youth, and have a joint discussion on the subject. Both sides reported to have gained much from the discussion, which hopefully will continue in the future. Through the event, ADVANCE encouraged decision makers to solicit young people’s inputs as they continue to strengthen the anti-violence network in Moldova.

To date, ADVANCE has provided services to more than 180 survivors of domestic violence and women at risk, and reached more than 600 people in rural villages through Mobile Technical Units. The project has also reached 1,086 young people through peer-to-peer sessions addressing gender roles and stereotypes, as well as providing tools for violence mitigation and prevention. 120 of these young people have gone on to conduct their own follow-on activities in their respective communities. 

On behalf of Winrock and our partners in the ADVANCE project, we thank donors for their generous support. To date we have raised over $1,200, thanks to individuals like you. Stay tuned for more updates!